Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Product assembly or manufacturing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-15
2001-01-16
Lee, Thomas C. (Department: 2782)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Product assembly or manufacturing
C700S127000, C700S134000, C700S146000, C269S021000, C269S055000, C451S288000, C083S019000, C083S409000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06175776
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to devices for performing work operations on one or more layers of sheet-type work material, and deals more particularly with an apparatus for sealing the sides and edges of a permeable support surface having one or more layers of work material positioned thereon and held in place using vacuum.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Work operations are often performed on multiple layers of sheet-type work material, for example, in the mass production of garments, pattern pieces are usually cut from multiple layers of fabric spread one-on-top-of-the-other on a support surface. To facilitate clean accurate cuts, the layers of work material, often referred to as a lay, must be adequately held in place during the performance of a cutting operation. Failure to do so can result in movement of the fabric layers relative to one another, detrimentally affecting the performance of the cutting operation.
Generally, pattern pieces are cut from the lay using what is referred to as a cutter table. The support surface is mounted on the cutter table and is typically permeable, and often moveable relative to the table. The permeable support surface is in part comprised of a plurality of slats linked together and extending transversely of the frame.
A moveable cutter head traverses the support surface, cutting pattern pieces from the layers of material in response to commands issued from a controller. To eliminate any undesired movement of the layers of work material during the performance of the cutting operation, vacuum is sometimes used to draw and hold the work material against the support surface. A difficulty sometimes encountered with the above described cutter tables is that vacuum is often lost through the lateral edge sections of the support surface resulting in inadequate retention of the work material, detrimentally affecting the quality of the cut pattern pieces.
In an effort to seal the lateral edge sections of the support surface end blocks formed from a compressible, closed-cell material, such as foam, have been attached to the ends of the slats. However, over time the foam would suffer permanent deformation destroying the integrity of the seal.
Based on the foregoing, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for retaining multiple layers of sheet material against a support surface that overcomes the drawbacks of prior art apparatus for sealing lateral edge sections of a permeable support surface.
It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to adequately seal the lateral edge sections of a conveyorized support surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for retaining one or more layers of sheet-type work material on a support surface that is permeable and coupled to a frame. The permeable support surface has at least one pair of opposed lateral edge sections each defining an upper and side surface. Vacuum means are provided for drawing vacuum through the permeable support surface to retain the work material thereon, and to prevent any undesired movement of the work material relative to the support surface during the performance of a work operation.
The present invention also includes means for sealing the lateral edge sections of the support surface to prevent vacuum losses therethrough. Preferably these means include at least two side seals, each of which is coupled to the frame, and engages the side surface of one of the opposed lateral edge sections. In addition, at least two upper seals are also provided, each being coupled to the frame, and engaging the upper surface of one of the opposed lateral edge sections. During operation, the upper and side seals are drawn against the lateral edge sections of the support surface via the application of vacuum, thereby sealing the edge sections.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper seals are formed from urethane film having a sufficiently low coefficient of friction such that movement of the work material positioned thereon is not hindered by the presence of the seal. While upper seals composed of urethane film have been described, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other materials can be substituted without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.
Preferably the side seals are composed of poly film which will conform to the geometry of the side surfaces of the lateral edge sections when vacuum is applied. While side seals of poly film have been described, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other materials can be substituted without departing from the broader aspects of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4672870 (1987-06-01), Levene et al.
patent: 5189936 (1993-03-01), Gerber et al.
patent: 5222719 (1993-06-01), Effner
patent: 5249785 (1993-10-01), Nelson et al.
Kuchta Richard
Vivirito Joseph
Zusmanovich Alexander
Du Thuan
Gerber Technology, Inc.
Lee Thomas C.
McCormick Paulding & Huber LLP
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